Amusement Park Accidents

The attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm handle personal injury cases, including those involving Amusement Park Accidents. If you have experienced an Amusement Park Accident and have been harmed as a result, you may be able to make a legal claim for the harms and losses you have suffered. It is in your benefit to seek out more information to determine if your Amusement Park Accident was caused by the negligent acts or omissions of the park operator. Information on what Amusement Park Accidents are and what it might mean for you can be found below. Additionally, the personal injury attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm invite you to contact us, either at 937-228-2306 or 1-800-VERDICT to learn whether you can make a claim for an Amusement Park Accident.

What are Amusement Park Accidents?

Amusement Parks are places for fun and enjoyment. They feature thrilling rides and entertaining attractions for the whole family. Millions of Americans visit the many amusement parks across America each year. In Ohio, many people visit the several dozen amusement parks found in the state, such as Cedar Point in Sandusky and Kings Island in Mason for a day filled with fun. People also enjoy lesser known amusement park rides and attractions such as those found at county fairs or haunted houses. However, each year serious accidents and injuries occur at each one of these locations. It is the responsibility of the owners, operators and employees to make sure the parks, rides and amusements are safe for the guests.

Some Amusement Park Accidents occur due to the negligent acts or omissions of the park owner, operators and/or its employees. While the most obvious examples of Amusement Park Accidents involve rides such as roller coasters, Amusement Park Accidents can mean anything that may cause injury in an amusement park, county fair or other attractions. This includes but is not limited to incidents involving rides, failing to maintain the facility, failure to meet building standards, failure to provide security, failure to provide crowd control and slip and falls. It is important to understand that Amusement Park Accidents can happen to a rider, to a bystander, or to any park guest.

Injuries from Amusement Park Accidents are far too common. Of course, tragic incidents involving a death on an amusement park ride often make the news. But for every story involving a death, there are many other stories of broken bones, bumps, bruises, lacerations, head injuries, and other medical conditions brought on by incidents at an amusement park that require a hospital visit or medical treatment. Visitors to amusement parks should be aware of the risks posed by the rides and attractions, and are advised to follow these safety tips:

Follow the rules posted by the park

Be aware and follow posted restrictions; such as age, height, and weight

Follow all instructions from the ride operator

Keep hands, arms, legs, and all limbs inside the ride vehicle at all times

Use the safety equipment, especially the seat belts, harnesses, or lapbars when provided

Remain inside the ride until it comes to a complete stop

Explain safety rules and proper behavior to children who may not understand or recognize the danger

Consequences of Amusement Park Accidents can be far ranging. They can be minor injuries such as bumps or bruises, or more serious injuries such as neck injuries, back injuries, head injuries, fractures or broken bones and even death. In the event of an Amusement Park Accident you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Additionally, although it is not always practicable you or a friend should try and document the cause of the injury by reporting it to a park employee and taking pictures with a cell phone camera. By reporting the injury to an employee the dangerous situation can be addressed immediately to prevent injury to others.

Legal Significance of Amusement Park Accidents

If you have experienced an Amusement Park Accident and have been harmed as a result, you may be able to make a legal claim for the harms and losses you have suffered. The legal cause of action against an amusement park is typically based upon a claim or negligence. This would be a situation where the park had a duty, breached its duty and the breach proximately resulted in an injury to the guest. Negligence on the part of the amusement park can occur due to the actions or inaction of many different entities, from the organization that runs the amusement park, to a specific manager or administrator, or to an individual ride operator. These instances typically occur when the amusement park has done something incorrect, be it the maintenance of the park, the daily running of a ride, or even a single interaction with a park guest. Amusement parks have an obligation to conduct their business in a safe and reasonable manner. Failure to do so unnecessarily increases the danger to park guests and often results in injury.

However, not all injuries that occur in an amusement park are the result of negligent acts on the part of the amusement park or its employees. In some cases, accidents or injuries may occur due to the fault of the amusement park guest. This may be due to failure to follow instructions, improper actions while on an amusement park ride such as unbuckling the seatbelt, or deliberately breaking the rules of the amusement park. If the resulting harm or injury was caused by the actions of the amusement park guest, then it may be the amusement park guest who was negligent and not the amusement park. Because of this, it may be that the amusement park cannot be held responsible or can only be held partially responsible for the accident.

The following are some common examples of Amusement Park Accidents that may give rise to a legal claim of negligence.

Failure to keep the amusement park ride in a safe condition, either through proper maintenance or proper inspection

Failure to give proper instructions or proper warnings to park guests or riders

Failure to properly or correctly operate the ride

Failure to properly warn those with health issues of the inherent dangers or possible risks associated with the ride

Failure to keep the park areas safe, especially walkways and public areas

Failure to properly design the amusement park, especially in instances where the ride becomes inherently dangerous, even with normal operations

It is the responsibility of the amusement park and all of its employees to ensure that they conduct themselves in the proper manner and that they take their responsibility for the safety of the park guests seriously. Failure to do so may be negligence.

Seeking Legal Counsel and Guidance

If you have suffered an injury due to an Amusement Park Accident, negligence may be the cause. The personal injury attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm have the skill and experience to discover whether your injuries were the result of negligence. Negligence is preventable. It is caused by the error, improper action, or lack of action by individuals or organizations tasked with the safety of others. It is important to hold those individuals or organizations to the proper safety standards and to hold them accountable for the harms and losses they may cause. The Brannon Law Firm can help hold those at fault accountable.

Additionally, the personal injuries suffered as the result of an accident may be difficult, physically, financially and emotionally. Medical treatment may be necessary, resulting in costly medical bills. Furthermore, as a result of your injuries, you may experience a multitude of issues, such as persistent pain, difficulty in performing everyday tasks, and a decrease in quality of life. These issues may even affect the lives of your loved ones as well. It is important to ensure you have the assistance and care that you deserve to live the best life possible. The Brannon Law Firm can help with that process.

At the Brannon law Firm, we have represented individuals who were unfortunate victims of Amusement Park Accidents. We have obtained favorable verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients. We invite you to contact us at 937-228-2306 or 1-800-VERDICT for a free consultation. The Brannon Law Firm is proud to serve clients in Dayton and throughout the State of Ohio.